Find the cheapest flights from Nairobi to Mombasa in 2026. Compare airlines, prices by month, and booking tips to save on your trip.
Route: Nairobi (NBO) → Mombasa (MBA)
Distance: Direct flights not available
Flight Duration: 1h 15m – 2h 30m with 1 stop
Prices by Month
| Month | Avg Price | Demand |
|---|---|---|
| January | €165 | high |
| February | €145 | high |
| March | €110 | medium |
| April | €85 | low |
| May | €95 | low |
| June | €125 | medium |
| July | €185 | high |
| August | €195 | high |
| September | €130 | medium |
| October | €115 | medium |
| November | €100 | medium |
| December | €240 | high |
Airlines on This Route
- Kenya Airways (direct): from €150 — Book 3-4 weeks ahead for best rates. Tuesday-Wednesday departures are consistently cheapest. Use Kenya Airways website directly for Student Fares (10% discount with valid ID).
- Jambojet (direct): from €85 — Jambojet often has flash sales. Follow their social media. Their Nairobi-Mombasa route is the busiest – book 2 weeks ahead minimum during peak season. Best prices found on their app.
- SafariLink (direct): from €120 — SafariLink operates ATR aircraft – great views. Less crowded than Jambojet. Best for business travelers wanting comfort. Book directly for free date changes on Flexi fares.
- Fly540 (direct): from €95 — Fly540 often matches Jambojet prices but less frequent departures. Check for their 6am early bird specials – often cheapest flights of the day.
Booking Strategy
The Nairobi-Mombasa corridor is Kenya’s busiest domestic route, served primarily by Jambojet, Kenya Airways, SafariLink, and Fly540. Direct flights take exactly 1 hour on the hour-long coastal hop. For the cheapest fares, book 3 weeks ahead targeting Tuesday-Thursday departures – Friday and Sunday flights command 30-40% premiums. April and May offer the lowest prices (KES 8,000-12,000 / EUR 65-100), while December peaks at KES 25,000-35,000 (EUR 200-300). Use Skyscanner to compare all carriers, then book directly with Jambojet or Kenya Airways for the best cancellation flexibility. Avoid booking at Nairobi Wilson Airport (domestic terminal) – online prices are consistently 10-15% cheaper. Morning departures (6am-9am) are cheapest; midday flights carry the highest load factor and prices.
Route Tips
- Use Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO), not Wilson Airport – carriers from Wilson (SafariLink some flights) charge higher prices and have less frequent departures.
- Download the Jambojet app for flash sale notifications – they offer secret deals not shown on comparison sites.
- Avoid arriving at MBA during sunset hours (5:30-7pm) as airport security queues slow dramatically during shift changes.
- If carrying diving gear or surfboards, book with SafariLink or Jambojet as excess baggage is cheaper than Kenya Airways (KES 450/kg vs KES 600/kg).
- Matatus from Mombasa airport to Diani Beach cost KES 400-500 and take 40 minutes – cheaper than taxis if you’re not in a rush.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the flight from Nairobi to Mombasa?
The direct flight takes exactly 1 hour from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) to Mombasa Moi International Airport (MBA). Kenya Airways, Jambojet, SafariLink, and Fly540 all operate direct flights throughout the day, with departures every 1-2 hours. If booking a connecting flight (rare on this route), expect 1h15m to 2h30m total travel time, typically via Malindi with Air Kenya. There is no overnight option needed – the route is purely daytime operations.
How much does it cost to fly from Nairobi to Mombasa?
Direct flights range from KES 8,000-35,000 (EUR 65-300) depending on season. Jambojet offers the cheapest direct fares starting at KES 8,000-12,000 (EUR 65-100) when booked in advance. Kenya Airways business class runs KES 25,000-45,000 (EUR 200-380). April-May is cheapest (EUR 85-110 average), while December surges to EUR 200-300. Last-minute bookings during school holidays can exceed KES 40,000. Connecting flights are rarely cheaper than direct service on this short route.
Are there direct flights from Nairobi to Mombasa?
Yes, direct flights are abundant on this route. Four airlines operate non-stop services: Kenya Airways (5-6 daily), Jambojet (8-10 daily), SafariLink (4-5 daily), and Fly540 (3-4 daily). Total direct flights exceed 20 per day in both directions. Flight time is exactly 1 hour. There is no need for connecting flights as the route is purely domestic and well-served – even during low season you won’t struggle to find availability. Morning departures are most frequent, with last flights around 6-7pm.
What is the cheapest month to fly from Nairobi to Mombasa?
April offers the lowest prices, with average fares around KES 8,000-10,000 (EUR 65-85) on Jambojet and Fly540. May follows closely at KES 9,000-12,000 (EUR 75-100). These months fall in Kenya’s low tourism season between the March-May long rains, resulting in empty planes and aggressive discounting. March is also reasonable. The most expensive period is December (Kenyatta holidays) when prices spike to KES 25,000-35,000. July-August peaks at EUR 180-200. For best deals, avoid school holiday periods and book 3 weeks ahead.
Which airlines fly from Nairobi to Mombasa?
Four airlines serve this route: Jambojet (Kenya Airways subsidiary) operates most flights with budget pricing (from KES 8,000), Kenya Airways offers premium service with 23kg baggage included, SafariLink provides a comfortable ATR experience ideal for business travelers, and Fly540 offers competitive rates with good frequency. Jambojet dominates the market with 40% of flights. All carriers operate from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) to Mombasa Moi Airport (MBA). Budget carriers charge extra for checked bags while Kenya Airways includes 23kg in all fares.
What airport do I fly into in Mombasa?
Mombasa Moi International Airport (MBA) is located 15km south of Mombasa’s city center on Mombasa Island. The airport is modern with efficient immigration (typically 10-15 minute queue). Transport into town: taxis cost KES 1,500-2,500 (EUR 12-20) to Kenyatta Avenue/ CBD; matatus (shared minibuses) cost KES 200-300 but can be crowded. Uber operates in Mombasa and is reliable. Airport transfer time is 20-30 minutes depending on traffic. There is no train connection yet – the standard gauge railway stops at Mombasa’s town station but not at the airport.
How far in advance should I book Nairobi to Mombasa flights?
For this domestic route, 3 weeks ahead provides optimal pricing. Booking 1-2 weeks ahead risks paying 30-50% more, especially Friday-Sunday. However, booking too early (6+ weeks) can also be more expensive as airlines haven’t released their discounted inventory yet. The sweet spot is 14-21 days before travel. During December and July-August school holidays, book 4-6 weeks ahead as planes fill quickly. Jambojet releases their cheapest seats about 4 weeks before departure – set alerts if using their app.
Is it cheaper to fly from Nairobi to Mombasa on weekdays?
Yes, weekday flights are notably cheaper. Tuesday and Wednesday departures are consistently 20-30% cheaper than Friday-Sunday. A Tuesday flight might cost KES 10,000 while the same flight on Friday costs KES 15,000-18,000. Monday and Thursday fall in the middle. The price difference is most pronounced on Jambojet and Fly540, whose dynamic pricing responds heavily to demand. If flexible, shift your departure by 1-2 days to save significantly. Early morning flights (6am-8am) are also cheaper than midday departures on any day.
Data updated: 2026-03